How to Speed Sell Your Home This Winter

You’re itching at the bit to sell your property quickly. Sell sell sell! cries your house at night, as your partner murmurs “it’s just settling love, go back to sleep”. But you can’t. Move move move! you hear it creak, as you nervously waddle downstairs for a Nigella-esque gulp of cheesecake at midnight. Yes, your property is ready to be taken to market, but is it ready for its close up? Are you ready for your close up? This Winter, you’re most likely champing at the bit (or cheesecake) to get your house up and sold. So that’s where we come in. Here are our top tips for getting your best asset pimped and primped for a swift sale, so you can quit stress eating through the cold winter nights.

1. I’m ready for my close up (are you?)

So you want to sell your property quickly. Well now it’s your moment to get shallow and think visual. While you might admire that patch of damp in the shape of Patrick Swayze on your bedroom ceiling, potential buyers (now trust us on this one) absolutely will not. What’s more, whilst that stash of ‘lucky’ waving cats might feel necessary to your inner hoarder, think like Kondo and kiss them goodbye. Once you’ve re-painted, decluttered and generally spruced your home up to the point of wondering why you’re leaving in the first place, it’s time for the next step…

2. Say cheese!

It is vital that the photographs taken of your abode truly place it in the spotlight, hammering home the best bits like a Mariah Carey greatest hits album. Remember, you’ve got about three seconds tops to pull attention through a relatively small thumbnail. When the day finally arrives for the photographer to visit, make sure you’ve done all you can to help sell sell sell your property quickly. Top tip: if you’re starting to think the place is looking a little bare since removing all your prized (hideous) possessions, replace them with white flowers and green plants. Very smart, Keith. Now don’t forget to tell your friendly estate agent any features you’re particularly proud of. Yes, we mean that hand painted ceiling rose and the Farrow and Ball accent wall. God loves an accent wall, and so apparently do a tonne of potential buyers.

3. Higher or lower?

Setting the right price is key to getting your property seen and sold, fast. Decide a best estimate for the most likely price your property might achieve whilst taking a look at local reports. Even within local areas there can be an array of micro markets and prices can vary significantly even from one end your road to the other. What’s more, if you want to move quickly you need to speed everyone up right from the off and then maintain the momentum. So set the right price and set deadlines that all parties are in the know about. We’ve found the best approach is to stay flexible and available as much as possible. Just in case we need to contact you quickly about an exciting deal. We’re here to get you on the move!

4. Choose wisely

Imagine you’re on an episode of Blind Date, the house buyer episode. Behind the rickety cardboard sliding partition awaits your dream buyer and to your right stands Cilla Black, patiently awaiting your decision. What questions have you asked? For example, a first time buyer with no chain behind them is exactly the sort of bow tie wearing catch you want. So, you may consider accepting a lower offer from this attractive individual. However, it’s important to find out if they have the finances in place and have proven their commitment with a loan agreement.

Then, in next week’s episode, you’re in for a right treat when Cilla rolls out the Blind Date solicitor special for you. When it comes to choosing a solicitor from atop your little stool, you need to be very clear about what you need. Moreover, make sure to put everything in writing. Then, surprise surprise, when that partition slides back you can smile with genuine relief and not have to awkwardly hide your dismay behind Cilla’s perm.

5. Make your paper work!

It’s time to get your affairs in order. No, we’re not talking about that brief dalliance with Bob at the office party, although you might want to make sure that was a one off never to be repeated. Before you go any further, you need to make sure you’ve got all the details of your current mortgage to hand. Furthermore, make sure you’ve got your title deeds ready and any guarantee certificates for any work you’ve had done to the property. This will help cut waiting time down if you’re a keen bean and a super organised Sally.

Another way of reducing delays is to get a head start on the conveyancing process by using a fast track application. A fast track application niftily drafts legal documents and conducts searches the minute a property goes on the market. This hugely slashes those pesky local authority search delays. Yawn!

6. Find the right estate agent *waves*

Once you’ve done all the hard work, we cannot stress enough how important it is to choose the right estate agent. Ideally one with long term professional marketing expertise and in-depth knowledge of the area. Even better, hire one who goes beyond just using a sales board and a Rightmove listing to market your prized possession. Ahem, *Davies & Davies* ahem. We have a dedicated, in-house marketing team who use multi-channel techniques specifically tailored to your particular property. Our marketing efforts are also tailored to what you want to get out of your sale, such as selling your property quickly. Take a look at our marketing page by clicking here to find out more.

We know it can seem like a laborious and daunting process to embark on selling your house. Particularly in the current climate. So that’s where we come in. We ease the stress, make the process much simpler and we can reach more potential buyers than you can shake a sold sign at. Bonus tip: for sale signs really do help sell your home and fast. Who’d have thought it? Moreover, we have the experience needed to get the best possible price for your property and sell it in the best possible time.

Contact us:

alex@daviesdavies.co.uk – Lettings Director (contact for lettings and property management)

mark@daviesdavies.co.uk – Sales Director (contact for sales, new homes and chartered surveying)

020 7272 0986

Davies & Davies Estate Agents, 85 Stroud Green Road, London, N4 3EG

Article & images by Barefaced Studios